On the Road Lesson Plan

Jazz Music and the Beat Generation

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will research the influence that jazz music has had on the Beat Generation.

Structure:

In today's reading, we once again witness the transformative power that jazz music can have on our characters, as Dean and Sal allow themselves to whip into a frenzy while listening to jazz music, plunging once again into a life of raucous partying. It's clear that jazz music has a significant impact on our characters, and, in fact, jazz is a major influence in Kerouac's prose itself.

Students will research this influence and prepare a report of about 1,000 words on their findings.

Students are...